by Abigail Buchholz and Hannah Robinson
Little Chute High School is located at 1402 N Freedom Road in Little Chute, Wisconsin. This dot on the map is dangerously close to some of the most well-known fast food restaurants in the world including Culver’s, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Tom’s, and Burger King. For most Mustang fans, this combination of restaurants makes for a recipe of fun and good times with friends, but also bad nutrition.
How often do members of this high school visit these establishments? We talked to some of our classmates to get the inside scoop. According to sophomore Eli Sanchez, it is more often than one might think. “I go about three times each week,” Sanchez says. “Unless I don’t have money.”
Money seems to be the problem for many students. Until they find themselves burdened with financial issues, students burdened with financial issues, students often give in to the temptation to hang out with their friends at the nearest fast-food restaurant. This activity obviously costs money, and many at LCHS find it difficult to keep this addiction going. When money becomes a problem, Sanchez brings a cold lunch to eat at school.
Which restaurants are the most popular, and what do students choose to eat there? When asked about their favorite place to eat, many students responded with Culver’s. Culver’s of Little Chute is fairly new to the area; it opened on August 25, 2014. Culver’s is famous for its delicious butterburgers and creamy custard. Healthy meals under 500 calories are also offered, including a chicken salad, garden fresco salad, and chicken sandwich. But what do LCHS students eat when they choose to go to Culver’s for lunch?
Sophomores Taylor Grissman and Madelyn Hermus also responded with Culver’s when inquired of their favorite restaurant. Both girls said that they usually get a Kids’ Meal, which comes with their choice of either a classic butterburger or chicken tenders and a side of french fries. Kids’ meals also come with a free scoop of Culver’s signature custard.
Culver’s offers a variety of toppings for their custard, including candies and fresh fruits. “I like to get chocolate custard with cookie dough,” Hermus told us. “My favorite topping is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups,” Grissman shared.
Another sophomore, Makayla Benson Smith, was asked about her so-called ‘addiction’ to Culver’s. She declined to comment.
Mack Hooyman, also an LCHS sophomore, enjoys going to Culver’s as well, though he does sometimes choose healthier options. Sometimes he visits Subway instead. Subway is also close to the high school and offers healthier foods such as fresh bread, meats, and an array of vegetables to top their six-inch and foot-long sandwiches.
Other high school students are taking advantage of the new Taco Bell. Sophomore Olivia O’Connell is a big fan of Taco Bell and finds it “cheaper than Culver’s, but still very good.” Her favorite items are the Crunchwrap Supreme and a Baja Blast.
There are going to be unhealthy choices no matter where a student chooses to go for lunch. That is not going to change, at least not any time soon. What can change is how we educate our students on the importance of healthy eating habits and the impact this might have on the rest of their lives. While healthy choices are important, it is also safe to say that it is okay to have a treat every once in awhile. Culver’s is a great restaurant with delicious food, but it is not meant to be a lunchtime destination every day of the week.
Though it may seem that students are becoming more unhealthy because of the new restaurants around us, Mr. Valentyn says that this is not really the case. When asked if he thought that LCHS students are becoming more unhealthy with establishments such as the new Taco Bell, he gave us some insight on the topic. “I think there are some unhealthy habits that get fostered, but I believe that there are more healthy options out there nowadays, Subway, etc., so I believe it’s gotten better over the years.”
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